Tomorrow's Construction Materials Could Include Self-Healing Concrete

Electrochromic glass

Imagine a future without blinds or curtains where your windows can be turned transparent or opaque with the flick of a switch. This may soon be possible with the advent of electrochromic glass. This material is composed of layers of specially formulated metals and plastics, which change their optical properties with electrical stimulation. The windows can also selectively reflect infrared light, which is responsible for much indoor overheating, leading to cooler interiors and lower use of air conditioning.

Self-healing concrete

Tiny cracks in concrete do not necessarily affect structural integrity in the short term, but they do allow water and other chemicals to seep into the structure, which may cause problems over time. Self-healing concrete has embedded clay particles that contain dormant bacteria and a food source. When a crack appears in the concrete, water seeps in and activates the bacteria. When they wake, the bacteria eat their packed lunch and then conveniently excrete chalk, which fills the crack.

Biomimicry

Biomimicry – taking inspiration from the natural world to solve our problems – is already in use in buildings such as the Dome at Greenwich, London, where the “lotus effect” is used to create self-cleaning surfaces. A drop of water on a lotus leaf stands proud and spherical, as the microscopic surface contours do not allow the drop to spread out. If buildings are designed with surfaces like this, then rainwater just rolls off, taking dirt with it.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2011/sep/11/architecture

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